Matakana - Catching the Kiwi dream

A New Zealand holiday turned into a major lifestyle change for an English-German couple.

62 Westminster Glen, Matakana.

Martin Dunn in the garage where he stores his and the kids' ``toys'', including his collection of trophies from motorcycle racing in the 600 Supersport class in Europe.

Four-and-a-half years ago Englishman Martin Dunn and his German wife Nicole were living in Germany, but planning to shift their young family to the south of France for a change in lifestyle.

But first, they wanted to come to New Zealand for a month's holiday. When they got here, they spent the last week north of Auckland and found what Martin calls a "lovely little valley", five minutes from Warkworth and Matakana, not far from several beaches, and with new lifestyle-block sections being developed. They decided it would be a beautiful place to live.

So, on their last Friday in the country, they put an offer in on a section, before flying out on the Saturday. When they got back to Germany, they found out their offer had been accepted. Six months later, they had emigrated.

So much for the south of France.

It's not a decision they have ever regretted.
"The south of France has got nothing on this," says Martin.
So what have we got that one of the most romanticised regions in the world hasn't?
"Nice people," he says, adding that he's "absolutely serious".

Well, you can't argue with that.

We also have Westminster Glen, a modern subdivision that Martin and Nicole decided offered the best of all worlds - space to move in a rural environment, but with their own little "village" of 13 neighbours who, even if they were too far away to talk to over the garden fence, were certainly close enough to invite over for a glass of wine by the poolside. Or even a house-warming party.

"After we had been living here for about three months, we had a party when we got our work visas through," says Martin. "The house was absolutely chock-a-block full of people."
He couldn't believe they had made so many friends in such a short time.

The brick-and-tile house they built lends itself to entertaining. Entering through the front door, the two children's bedrooms are on the left, with a study on the right. These three rooms almost form a separate children's wing.

Straight ahead is the first of the sitting areas, with a clear view through the ranch sliders to the heated swimming pool outside. This flows on to the dining room and modern kitchen (which also faces out to the pool) and past that to the second sitting area, which has the homely touch of a gas fire.

Down the far end of the hallway is the master bedroom, with en suite and walk-in wardrobe. Through the ranch sliders at this end is the spa pool. Over the hallway from the living areas are a spare double bedroom, the main bathroom and a separate laundry.

Walk through the laundry and you come to what was originally designed as an integrated double garage, but which Martin and Nicole have carpeted and insulated and turned into the office from which they run their business. It could easily become a large rumpus room in which the kids could make as much noise as they wanted.

A large separate garage/workshop now houses the car, and all of Martin's "toys".

Outside, this property is real rural Kiwiana. There's two fenced paddocks to house the sheep (only two at present, but frequently up to six), native planting all around, an orchard heavy on citrus and feijoas, a native bush-lined stream, and even a tyre-swing hanging from a large tree.

If it wasn't for the modern house, it would almost be like stepping back in time - in the nicest possible way.

So why on earth would a family leave this rural idyll they fell so in love with they moved from the other side of the world? Ah, you see, the Kiwi spell had yet to play out in full. Now it has, and they're packing their bags again to move seven minutes down the road - to the beach.


VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 4

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 3

SIZE: Land 1.2ha, house 235sq m.

PRICE: $975,000.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-1.45.

ON THE WEB: www.harveys.co.nz # B@l2185

CONTACT: Nola and Ben Kloppers, Harveys Warkworth, ph 09 422 3467, 021 425 597 (Nola) or 021 425 599 (Ben).

FEATURES: Modern brick-and-tile house with two living areas flowing to outdoor entertaining area, with heated in-ground swimming pool and separate spa pool. Outdoor sound system with speakers at poolside, spa pool and in garage/workshop. DVS ventilation/heating system.